In this episode of The Hospitality Edge, we dive into what it really takes to thrive in a high-risk, high-reward short-term rental market. Sebastian Humbert, co-owner and founder of Tropicalia Puerto Rico, shares the raw truth about platform dependency, business reinvention, and building a resilient rental operation on an island where the lights don’t always stay on — literally.
From Hurricane Maria to Airbnb delistings, Sebastian has weathered it all. His experience isn’t just a survival story — it’s a masterclass in smart adaptation.
What You'll Learn:
The real dangers of relying too heavily on Airbnb
How to adapt your STR model in unpredictable markets
Why Sebastian shifted from arbitrage to full-service management
How to set expectations with property owners from day one
What makes a guest experience truly unforgettable — even during a power outage
Simple, scalable strategies to stand out in a saturated listing market
How to prepare your business for the next OTA algorithm shift
Whether you're just starting out or scaling past 50+ units, this episode will change the way you think about platforms, risk, and resilience in the short-term rental space.
Popular Podcasts
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
24/7 News: The Latest
The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.